Retail Downtown
Who else is downtown?
There are over 300 food beverage establishments downtown as well as a plethora of soft goods retailers such as Authenticity, Anthropologie, REI, Krugers Jewelry, Design Within Reach, Keepers, Motive 807, Anthony Nak, Estilo, and many others.
Directory - Click on the downtown directory to find the complete list of retailers, by district, downtown.
Incentives - The City of Austin created the Business Retention and Enhancement (BRE) Program to support re-establishing Congress Avenue and E. 6th Street as retail and urban entertainment district destinations. The low-interest loan program is designed to assist existing downtown businesses located within the eligible area that are being displaced because of development, and to attract new businesses to the eligible area.
Parking - There are over 22,000 parking spaces in downtown Austin. On Congress Avenue there are over 7,800 spaces within a 3 block radius, and on E. 6th Street there are over 5,000 spaces within a 3 block radius.
Tenant Maps - The City of Austin creates and maintains maps that show current first floor retailers by district. Click here to download maps of Congress Avenue, the Warehouse District, and the E. 6th Street and Red River Entertainment Districts, the Uptown/Arts District, and others.
Retail Testimonials - Take a look at what other retailers are saying about being located Downtown.
Entertainment Retail - Alamo Drafthouse
Gifts & Accessories - Authenticity and Mercury
Apparel - Keepers Exceptional Men's Apparel
Retail Announcements
Congress Avenue
Patagonia, 316 Congress Avenue is Patagonia's only Texas location. Patagonia’s Austin store, the company’s 25th retail location, carries outdoor sports and lifestyle products tailored to Austin’s varied outdoor activities. Items range from layering systems and men’s and women’s surfing apparel to specific products for local sports such as trail running, bouldering, paddling, and hiking/trekking.
Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, 320 Congress Avenue, a menswear retailer with a heritage of quality and workmanship, an extensive selection of beautifully made, classically styled tailored and casual clothing reasonable prices.
Scott + Cooner, 115 W. 8th Street, is the brainchild of Lloyd Scott and Josy Cooner. Their first design showroom opened in 1995 in Dallas with an intuitive devotion to function, line, color and balance. They combine the furniture showroom with the value add of design professionals to ensure form and function.
Heritage Boot of Austin has set new standards of style and quality with its fully-handmade retro-modern fancy Cowboy Boots. After catching the eyes and imagination of boot wearers, buffs and collectors Heritage has now planted its Lone Star flag of Boot making Independence in downtown Austin, just a stone's throw from the Texas Capitol, at 117 West Eighth Street between Congress and Colorado Avenues.
Enchante, a family-owned and operated company with more than 20 years' experience offering the finest wet shaving goods and men's and women's fragrances and skin care products opened Spring 2007 in the One America Center, 600 Congress Avenue, Suite G210.
Authenticity, a contemporary art and fine craft store filled with original, one of a kind art is located at 910 Congress Avenue. The store opened December 2, 2006 and owner Mary Ober was committed to downtown when searching for a location, "I wouldn't be anywhere else in Austin and Congress Avenue is where it is at!"
Keepers Exceptional Men's Apparel recently opened on the southeast corner of Sixth Street and Congress Avenue. Mike Reynolds, one of the partners of Keepers, is excited about coming back to downtown. "We are pleased to be located at the most important intersection in Austin and the State. My father started the Reynolds Penland on Congress 56 years ago, and I am thrilled to be bringing Keepers Exceptional Men's Apparel store back Downtown.”
Cork and Company located at 308 Congress Avenue is a creative, hip and fashionable retail wine shop is place to taste, learn about, and buy some of the finest wines available.
Motive 807 located 710 Brazos is an independent retailer specializes in hip, trendy foot ware, featuring such brands as Nike, Diesel and others.
E. Sixth Street
AUSTIN, Texas – October 9, 2008 – El Sol y La Luna is relocating to the northeast corner of Sixth and Red River streets, enhancing the stature of the East Sixth Street Historic Entertainment District as a world-class destination for music, fun and food.
The Interior Mexican restaurant, an Austin favorite since 1995, is set to debut its new Sixth Street home in spring 2009.
Owners Nilda de la Llata, Anna Salinas and Lynn Tiemann decided to move their restaurant from South Congress Avenue to capitalize on the growth opportunity and business diversity provided on Sixth Street.
El Sol y La Luna, which currently employs 25 people, has signed a long-term lease for 5,000 square feet at 600 E. Sixth St. This iconic business will join successful neighbors such as Alamo Drafthouse, B.D. Riley’s Irish Pub, Emo’s, Esther’s Follies, Maggie Mae’s, parkside restaurant and The Driskill Hotel.
“The relocation of El Sol y La Luna to Sixth and Red River represents another significant step forward in our efforts to build on and improve the Sixth Street brand, arguably Austin’s best-known brand,” Austin Mayor Will Wynn said. “With its unique food and Latin-flavored music, El Sol y La Luna will be a dynamic addition to an area known around the world for its bustling nightlife, live music and historic structures.”
El Sol y La Luna boasts a full menu of Interior Mexican cuisine; folk art by local and international artists; and live Latin American music. It received a 2008 Zagat Survey award and consistently has been named one of Hispanic Magazine’s Top 50 restaurants in the United States.
“Moving to this vibrant location in the Sixth Street district gives us more seating, a bigger kitchen, a big bar, and plenty of room for live music, dancing and artwork,” de la Llata said. “This space fits perfectly with our growth plan for El Sol y La Luna and the collective vision for Sixth Street.”
In 1995, de la Llata, Salinas and Tiemann invested their savings to convert a motel coffee shop on South Congress into what has become an Austin culinary and cultural staple. El Sol y La Luna played a key role in jump-starting redevelopment of Austin’s SoCo district.
Austin City Council Member Sheryl Cole said: “El Sol y La Luna will be an incredible draw for the thousands of conventioneers and visitors who come to Austin every year, particularly given the fact that it’s a short walk from the Austin Convention Center, the Hilton Austin and other Downtown Austin hotels. Furthermore, the arrival of El Sol y La Luna will add tremendously to the planned revitalization of the Waller Creek area. For Waller Creek to succeed, Sixth Street must succeed.”
Nancy Burns, chair of the Downtown Austin Alliance, said: “El Sol y La Luna’s commitment to the Sixth Street district is a strong endorsement of the growing vitality of this area. El Sol y La Luna’s move demonstrates Sixth Street is a great place for everyone—and gives momentum to our efforts to make it an even better place. Thanks to the leadership of property owners Gary Wilson, Frank Hendrix, Jeff Brown and Vance Holmes, we are making our vision for Sixth Street a reality.”
About El Sol y La Luna
El Sol y La Luna, the originator of “Sol Food,” is Austin’s laid-back home for Interior Mexican cuisine as well as live music, dancing and international folk art. El Sol y La Luna consistently has been named by Hispanic Magazine as one of the Top 50 restaurants in the United States. The business started in 1995 in the converted coffee shop of an Austin motel. For more information, call 512-444-7770 or visit www.elsolylalunaaustin.com.
The Paradise Cafe gets new ownership. On the bar's 27th anniversary the Paradise Cafe was taken over by will by former employee Bill Hogan and business partner Leo LePage . Paradise Café 's time-tested strategy of serving up burgers, pastas and sandwiches to lunchtime executives and midnight snackers, along with pouring drinks for a slightly rowdier late-night crowd, had always worked in the past and with a few changes, the venue's character and unique Sixth Street ambiance has been enhanced.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Austin’s favorite place to catch dinner and a movie, opened in the fall of 2007, after they extensively renovating the 1929 former Ritz Theater at 320 E. Sixth Street. “This theater will prove to be the best Alamo Drafthouse yet,” co-founder Karrie League said. “While retaining the intimacy and programming of the original location, the Ritz has two screens, plush VIP seating, state-of-the-art projection and sound and the new experience of a remodeled and renovated landmark Austin movie palace.”
Vertigo, originally from Houston, moved to Austin in 1983 and located on E. 6th Street for 19 years. The store then moved to Guadalupe and in December of 2004, Vertigo moved back to 115 E. Sixth Street. Voted "Best Hat Selection" by the Austin Chronicle's Critic Poll in 2002, the owners are excited about being back home on E. Sixth Street.
Wild About Music relocated from Congress Avenue to the 115 E. Sixth Street the Fall of 2004. "E. Sixth Street is a perfect match for our eclectic music retail business. With the relocation of the Visitor Center to E. Sixth Street, our daytime business has increased tremendously. We are thrilled to be a part of the live music scene downtown," stated owner Fred Schmidt.
2nd Street Retail District
Design Within Reach, located at 200 W. 2nd Street, a modern retail design studio with the coolest items for your home.
Shiki, (Japanese for four seasons), recently opened at 225 W. 2nd Street, features fresh contemporary styles for women from up and coming clothing designers you won't find all over town.
Estilo is Austin's newest concept for contemporary casual to cocktail wear for men and women. Representing pieces from across the world, Estilo brings fashion and art together and is located at 234 Colorado Street.
The Home Retreat is a contemporary home linens and furnishings store located at 249 West 2nd Street.
Eliza Page, now open at 229 West 2nd Street, showcases over 20 different independent jewelry and accessory designers, featuring Austin's most innovative artists.
IF Design, open at 208 Colorado Street, is a modern home furnishings store.
Mercury Design Studio, located at 209 West 2nd Street, has hip, contemporary home furnishings and accessories.
Cowboy Cool, 217 W. 2nd Street, this cool, trendy fashion store has its own unique, cowboy influenced flair.
St. Bernard Sports, 401 W. 3rd Street, is one of the Southwest's premier ski/snow board specialty shops.
Wee, 417 1/2 West 2nd Street carries contemporary furnishings, bedding, decor and apparel for the modern baby.
Loft, located at 416 Cesar Chavez, this hip new home furnishings concept is a treat to shop in. The store has a wonderful array of tables, chairs, couches and more.
Area Furniture, located at 117 Lavaca, offers contemporary and antique furnishings and accessories.
Finch, 417 W. 2nd Street, offers a lovely collection of unique gifts and hand-crafted furnishings for the home.
Peyton's Place, located at 215 Lavaca, the boutique features women's apparel, accessories and more.
Girl Next Door at 233 W. 2nd Street specializes in Women's designer jeans and other wardrobe stables like tops, jewelry, dresses and a host of other cool, hip fashion.
Sana, 237 W. 2nd Street, a contemporary boutique featuring designs by Badgley Mischka, BCBG Max Azria, Michael Kors and Wacoal Intimates.
milk + honey spa /retreat/ shop, opened at 204 Colorado Street and provides over 50 Spa Partisans with exceptional treatments. milk + honey's day spa offers massage and body treatments, face and skin treatments, waxing and natural manicures and pedicures.
Sage Salon , 237 W. 3rd Street, Sage offers a variety of hair services, makeup, and facial waxing, as well as European beauty products. The Sage staff also works on location for wedding parties, magazine photo shoots, and gala events.
Mototek, located at 241 W. 3rd Street caters to the needs of an urban transit environment selling Aprilla scooters and Ducati motorcycles.
Lofty Dog, located at 403 W. 2nd Street, specializes in unique and modern pet supplies, and the store is committed to finding local artisans who provide one-of-a-kind pet related products.
Royal Blue Grocery, located at 3rd Street and Lavaca, is a convenience store carrying frequently used products such as fruits and vegetables, toiletries, wine and spirits and other necessities.
Cathy's Cleaners at 231 W. 3rd Street offers quality dry cleaning and alteration services.
Taverna Italian Restaurant recently opened at 258 W. 2nd Street. Taverna is a wonderful, fine Italian neighborhood restaurant with outdoor seating.
Which Wich? a superior sandwich store opened at 259 W. 3rd Street.
Cantina Laredo is now open at 201 W. 3rd Street serving superior authentic Mexican dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere.
Jo's Hot Coffee located at 242 W. 2nd Street, this locally owned cool hot spot provides home baked goods, sandwiches and a variety of coffee drinks both hot and cold.
Pacugiuo Italian Gelato has opened at 241 W. 2nd Street.
Taste Select Wines, at 202 W. Cesar Chavez, is a new breed of wine retail and eatery, with an extensive retail selection and regionally focused cuisine prepared with old world soul.
Crú - A Wine Bar has opened its newest location at 235 W. 2nd Street. Cru' offers by-the-bottle wine list and a wide-range of ever-changing list of wines available in tasting flights or by-the-glass. Cru' also offers a dinner menu and a plush comfortable atmosphere.
III Forks restaurant opened at 210 Cesar Chavez. This fine dining steak restaurant is also located in Dallas and Palm Beach Gardens.
Lamberts barbeque restaurant is located in the historic Schneider building at 401 2nd Street. The menu offers an array of modern interpretations of Texas cuisine.
Leaf a locally owned healthy eating establishment that prides itself in the best salads in the world. Fresh ingredients, homemade dressings and more. Located at 419 W. 2nd Street.
Austin Java, located at City Hall, 301 W. 2nd Street, Austin Java is a locally owned coffee shop serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. With hip events and activities, something is always going on at Austin Java.
Sushi Saki, 206 Colorado, many sushi lovers are excited about Sushi Saki's move to downtown, features incredible sushi and other asian specialties.
Mama Fu's, 100 Colorado, is a restaurant focusing on Pan-Asian cuisine with influences from China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.
Market District
The new 85,000 square foot Whole Foods Store and International Headquarters opened in March 2005. In addition to this exciting addition to downtown, REI and Antropologie will be opening up in the space Whole Foods is vacating at 6th & Lamar. For more information on Schlosser Development Corporation and leasing, contact David Vitanza at (512) 472-7774, or dvitanza@sdcaustin.com.
Available Space
The DAA maintains a vacancy list of smaller spaces that are suitable for retail and office use.